Calvin Klein Gets Candid at 92nd Street Y

Fashion industry veteran Fern Mallis interviewed Calvin Klein at the 92nd Street Y last night in New York. Whether he was reminiscing about a night at Studio 54 or describing the more recent comedy of traveling with Donna Karan in Africa, Calvin was deliciously forthcoming. The American master of minimalist design nicknamed “Mr. Clean” by Women’s Wear Daily back in the day is now “Mr. Candid.” How great that he will be the keynote speaker at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Dinner on November 14.

Asked about growing up in the same Bronx neighborhood as Ralph Lauren, Calvin recalled how their styles differed even early on. Calvin’s was more “edgy,” more “James Dean” and, “Ralph always dressed in a peculiar way,” Calvin said affectionately about Ralph’s penchant for classic menswear, “like he was from a foreign country.”

Talking openly about his past struggles with addictions, Calvin disagreed with the popular belief, or “excuse,” that a career in fashion makes one more susceptible. “I don’t think addiction is caused by stress on the job,” he said. “It has more to do with childhood issues.”

He sold his business to Phillips-Van Heusen for some $700 million in 2003, but he still wears Calvin Klein underwear. “Other people’s underwear, too. I still want to check out the competition,” he said, and laughed. Although now happily occupied building a house in Southampton, traveling, and perfecting his talents as a photographer, does he miss his old day job? “No,” he said, “no regrets.”

The audience at the Y included the entertainment impresario Sandy Gallin, a longtime best friend of the designer, and Calvin’s daughter Marci, the four-time Emmy Award producer of shows such as 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live. During an interview several years ago, Marci joked about what it felt like during a romantic reveal with a favorite fellow only to find him wearing underwear with her father’s name on the waistband.

“I told the psychiatrist I was seeing at the time that I didn’t think that was very funny,” Calvin said, “and he told me to ‘lighten up.’ ”

“What’s on your bucket list?” Fern asked.

“What’s a bucket list?” Calvin responded. Fern explained.

“I fell in love with a wonderful young man,” Calvin answered, referring to model Nick Gruber, who was also in the audience. “And we recently went paragliding off Aspen Mountain.” Check that off the bucket list.

Calvin remains very encouraging of young designers. “My advice is you need to have a vision,” he said. “Be confident. Or act as if you are confident as a way to get people to believe in you. Then repetition is reputation. Keep growing, keep changing, but always remain true to yourself and your vision.”